INTRODUCTION
measles, and as a tonic for detoxification and WHAT ARE MOBULID RAYS? neutralizing the body's excessive "heat" [13]
Manta and Mobula are the two genera that come Like many other medicinal ingredients in under the Family Mobulidae and Subclass Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), gill plates Elasmobranchii. Mobula rays are also have most probably had a long history of use in sometimes collectively known as Devil rays. Chinese communities, and are known to be used Two species (and 1 possible species under by the older generation. taxonomical review) are recognized under the genus Manta, and 9 under the genus Mobula. Feeding this demand are fisheries for manta and mobula rays which have been recorded all over Mobulid rays are widely distributed around the the world. Up to the time of this survey, targeted world's oceans, found in tropical, subtropical fisheries have been reported in almost all areas and temperate regions [1 ‒ 11]. They are within known Manta and Mobula natural planktivores, meaning that they feed primarily distributional ranges, including: on planktons. Mobulids feed through a process called filter feeding, where water is forced in North America: Mexico [18 - 22] through the mouth and ejected past branchial South America: Ecuador and Peru [23] filters or gill plates, trapping the food for Mediterranean Sea [24] ingestion. Interestingly, this mechanism is Africa: Senegal, Ghana, Tanzania and different from that of other filter-feeding Mozambique [23, 25 - 27] animals, such as the baleen whale [12]. Asia: India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Philippines [23, 28 - 37] These gill plates are what has made Mobulid rays highly (commercially) valuable to humans, Continuously high fishing pressures have put and pushed populations of many manta and Manta and Mobula species under immense threat mobula ray species to imminent extinction. of extinction. The fragility of the species is highlighted by their relatively long lifespan, late maturity and low fecundity. They live as small, fragmented populations, and have predictable mass migrations and feeding aggregations, MANTA AND MOBULA making populations highly susceptible to targeted I N T H E fisheries. Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Singapore, Taiwan and Macau are identified as the five major importers Gill Plate of gill plates in Asia [31, 38, 39]. Other regions with established Chinese communities were also found to have trades in gill plates, albeit in smaller T r a d e quantities [38]. There are currently no known manta or mobula Two Mobulid species, Manta birostris and ray farm fisheries, meaning that the entire global Mobula japanica, have recognized medical supply of manta and mobula ray gill plates and properties, documented in the 中國藥用動物誌 related products must be provided by wild catches Zhongguo Yao Yong Dong Wu Zhi ("Chinese [23]. Whereas Mobulid rays had primarily been Medical Animals") [13]. Gill plates of the species harvested as bycatch in the past, today at least 30 are said to be medicinal in healing abscesses and Mobulid ray fisheries in 25 countries/regions are recorded [40]. Fisheries deploy a mix of fishing
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INTRODUCTION methods, including driftnets, purse-seines, gill defined and never been thoroughly studied. Both nets [37], traps, trawls and long-lines [23], Hong Kong's and Guangzhou's markets are hence heaving almost entire aggregations from the ocean highly worthy of examination, for it is likely that at a time. data obtained from these markets, such as species composition, sizes, categories and prices etc., can To date, all species of manta ray are listed in be representative of the global trade, and can lend Appendix II of the Convention on International insight into the extent of the two markets' Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and influence on the global trade. Flora (CITES), meaning that their international trades are regulated. None of the Mobula species The present study aims to understand the basics of are currently receiving the same protection by the Mobulidae gill plate trade in selected markets CITES regulations1. of two of the trade centres of gill plates: Sheung Wan of Hong Kong, and Yide Lu and Qingping of CONSERVATION CHALLENGES Guangzhou. The objectives are to:
AND HOW TO ADDRESS THEM 1. Assess the availability, size, price and potential origins of gill plates found One of the greatest challenges to the efficient 2. Listing the gill plates' name categories conservation of manta and mobula rays is the paucity of information and specified research. Such a study will hopefully lend insight into the way that gill plates are being sold at the consumer Of the 11 recognized Mobulidae species, 3 are level, and uncover information that may inform listed as Endangered, 2 as Vulnerable, and 3 as future research and conservation measures. Near Threatened according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red More importantly, it is hoped that this study may List of Threatened Species. The remaining 3 highlight the urgency for actions to be taken species are listed as "data deficient". Deficiency towards the proper protection of Manta and in data hinders the development of conservation Mobula species, and for the trade to be regulated schemes, especially for strategies that are species and brought to a level of sustainability. specific.
Trade and market research is one efficient way of understanding at least the extent of human use of Mobulid rays. Many existing studies have been conducted in the landing regions of gill plates [38, 41], however only a few have targeted research on All of the the retail level, at the destination markets. largest ray species are Hong Kong and Guangzhou are both extremely important in the global gill plate trade. Guangzhou found under in particular has been named the trade centre of the Family gill plates, taking on the roles of supplier, retailer Mobulidae. and consumer [38, 41]. Hong Kong is a known [36, 43] trade hub for a myriad of dried seafood including shark fin, abalone and bêche-de-mer [42]. For
Mobulid gill plates, the exact role of Hong Kong in the international trade has not been entirely Manta (Stan Shea / 1 However, some countries may have established their own BLOOM) local regulations to protect specific species.
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METHODOLOGY
Dried seafood and/or traditional Chinese Eastern Street medicine (TCM) stores of 3 key market
Ko Shing Street districts, namely Sheung Wan, Yide Lu, and Kom U Street Qingping, were surveyed between October 2015 Sutherland Street and January 2016. As this survey period Wilmer Street coincided with the Lunar New Year, when the stores become highly popular and frequented by locals preparing for festivities, the surveys were conducted only during the weekdays to GUANGZHOU: YIDE LU minimize disturbance to the shops' daily operations. Contrary to the dried seafood streets found in Hong Kong, most of the dried seafood stores in Each store in all 3 markets were visited at least Yide Lu are congregated in indoor malls. Yide Lu once throughout the survey for conducting: is a main street in central Guangzhou, and is well- known for retail and wholesale stores of dried 1. Face to face dialogues with shopkeepers, seafood [44]. through which enquiries surrounding the
manta/mobula trade were made, and More than 800 stores have been counted in Yide METHODOLOGY 2. Visual observations on the gill plates sold at Lu's 5 dried seafood malls, extending to Haizhu each shop. South Road. Unlike Hong Kong, there has been no compilation of comprehensive seafood store lists. Findings for every gill plate category found in stores were recorded after each visit. Each record contained, for the particular category, the genus, size, price, and origin, where the GUANGZHOU: QINGPING information was made available. Qingping is famed as a Traditional Chinese Medicine retail and wholesale centre in Guangzhou. Similar to the case of Yide Lu, stores SITE DESCRIPTIONS are gathered in shopping malls. More than 1000 Traditional Chinese Medicine shops were HONG KONG: SHEUNG WAN & observed in this survey, spreading across 3 malls SAI YING PUN on Qingping Road and Tiyun East Road. As for Yide Lu, there is presently no comprehensive shop collectively referred to as "Sheung Wan" for list for the Qingping area. short
Sheung Wan may be the district most densely HONG KONG VS GUANGZHOU populated with dried seafood stores in Hong Entire streets In specified malls Kong. The area is concentrated around Des Ground-level, Multilevel, Voeux Road West (coined "Dried Seafood streetside stores indoor stores Street" by locals), with multiple streets Selling a diversity of Each store specializes dispersing from its centre. More than 350 stores dried seafood and other in selling only a few were recorded and visited in this survey goods e.g. fungi specific goods covering: Relatively large storefront Smaller, booth-sized stores Bonham Strand Use of storage behind Mostly do not have storefront / not all goods storage space behind Bonham Strand West displayed storefront Centre Street Table 1 - comparison between Hong Kong (Sheung Cleverly Street Wan) and Guangzhou (Yide Lu and Qingping) Connaught Road West markets surveyed. Des Voeux Road Central Des Voeux Road West Page | 3
METHODOLOGY
MARKET SURVEYS suspicion of storekeepers or cause further disturbance to their businesses.
The investigator assumed the identity of a customer to conduct market surveys. During surveys, the number of shops present in each of the three markets was OFFICIAL TRADE VOLUMES noted, and the number of shops selling manta or AND COMMERCIAL VALUES mobula gill plates was recorded.
Display conditions: It is not uncommon to find stores FAO DATA keeping part or all of their stocks of gill plates out of view from the storefront. Conversations with The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United storekeepers revealed whether or not the store was Nations (FAO) publishes trade data voluntarily selling gill plates, and the range of categories reported by countries. available. For the study, FAO data for gill plates were collected. Display conditions were recorded for each store These included global capture production volumes surveyed where gill plates were sold. The three from landing countries/regions, and oceanic fishing options were: territories. The "Species" categories used for data collection included: 1. All categories displayed 2. All categories not displayed "Devil fish Mobula mobular" 3. Part of categories displayed "Giant Manta Manta birostris" "Mantas, devil rays nei Mobulidae". Name Categories: Most gill plates will have specific names visibly labeled. Where labels were not CSD DATA available, enquiries were made to storekeepers to The Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department obtain the associated name. (CSD) makes available data for import, export and re- Size and Price: Gill plates were categorized by size export of goods in Hong Kong. Commodities are and name. The selling price for each size and name identified with codes assigned through the categories were recorded. Where storekeepers offered Harmonized System (HS), and the following codes discounted prices, the original price labeled or quoted were used in this study: by the store was recorded. 0302-6929 "Other marine fish, excluding fillets, livers Origins: Storekeepers were also asked about whether and roes, fresh or chilled” (re-categorized or not the origins of the gills plates were known. into 0302-8999 since 2012); Answers were recorded where provided. 0303-7929 "Other marine fish, excluding fillets, livers and roes, frozen” (re-categorized into IDENTIFYING CATEGORIES SOLD 0303-8999 since 2012); 0302-8200 "Rays and skates (Rajidae), Fresh or Stores were asked to display all available categories chilled, exclude fillets, livers or roes” (whether by size or name) of gill plates. With (categorized since 2012); reference to the currently available guides [45], the 0303-8200 "Rays and skates (Rajidae), frozen, genera (Manta or Mobula) of the gill plates were exclude fillets, livers or roes” visually identified. Each selling category constituted a (categorized since 2012) single record. Where both genera were found in the same selling category, two separate records are made. Data for the years 2010 - 2014 were retrieved. For each code, the yearly trade quantities, value, country Average length of gill plates in each selling category of origin and country of consignment were recorded. was visually estimated and recorded in 7 size categories: 5-14cm, 15-24cm, 25-34cm, 35-44cm, 45-
54cm, >55cm, and "fragments". The gill plates were Note: Manta spp.-related CITES trade controls only came into not physically measured so as to not raise effect in November 2014 for Hong Kong. Page | 4
MARKET AVAILABILITY
SHEUNG WAN Proportion of stores selling Manta or 28.42% Mobula OUT OF 387 DRIED SEAFOOD STORES SURVEYED gill plates OUT OF THIS PERCENTAGE: Shops selling Manta 84.55% GILL PLATES GILL Shops selling Mobula 43.64% Only Manta sold 56.36% Only Mobula sold 15.45% Both sold 28.18%
MANTA & MOBULA MOBULA & MANTA SHEUNG WAN had the highest proportion of dried seafood stores retailing gill plates. Some stores in Yide Lu and Qingping displayed enormous amounts of Mobulid gill plates in bulk, far surpassing the amount seen in Sheung Wan, which typically displayed only a few bags sold among other products.
However, it was observed that many stores in Sheung Wan will keep some or all of their gill plates in storage behind storefront. As many as 33% of the surveyed stores had kept all of their gill plates in storage, and a further 22% had part of the gill plates stored (figure 4). The stockpiled volume is unknown and could not be estimated by this study.
Markets in Guangzhou did not appear to have rear Figure 3a - 1 bag of Manta gill plate displayed on WHERE TO BUY BUY TO WHERE storage space. While out-of-store storage is a possibility, shelf of Sheung Wan store (third bag from left, this also could not be assessed by this study. top row.) Most stores in Sheung Wan sold gill plates alongside other dried seafood goods, such as fish maw or ginseng. Many stores kept some or Are the gill plates sold in all gill plates in rear storage. Sheung Wan stores hidden in storage or displayed at storefront?
22% Partly displayed and partly hidden
33% All hidden
45% All displayed
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Figure 4 - Display status of Manta and Mobula gill plates in the Sheung Wan dried seafood stores
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MARKET AVAILABILITY YIDE LU QINGPING
4.58% 7.67%
OUT OF 851 DRIED SEAFOOD STORES OUT OF 1056 TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE SURVEYED STORES SURVEYED OUT OF THIS PERCENTAGE: OUT OF THIS PERCENTAGE: 66.67% 50.62% 92.31% 91.36% 7.69% 8.64% 33.33% 49.38% 58.97% 41.98% Figure 2 ‒ Stores selling manta and/or mobula gill plates in Hong Kong and Guangzhou markets
It was also found for all three markets that stores selling gill plates typically aggregated in certain areas. In stores located outside of these "hotspots", gill plates are sold in much lower quantities. The reason behind this pattern in distribution is unknown.
A higher percentage of stores in Sheung Wan sold manta gill plates than compared to Guangzhou's markets. In Sheung Wan, more than half (56.36%) of the stores were selling manta gill plates only. The same figure for Yide Lu and Qingping were 7.69% and 8.64% respectively. In contrast, proportions of stores selling mobula gill plates in Yide Lu and Qingping were both more than double that of Sheung Wan.
For Yide Lu, the majority (58.97%) of the stores sold both Manta and Mobula gill plates. In Qingping, almost half (49.38%) of the stores sold only Mobula gill plates.
CSD Data Reveals...
No conclusions can be drawn from the CSD data. While the 4 HS codes used in the study were advised by CSD staff [54], the codes are not explicitly referring to or limited to gill plate-related products. Furthermore, there are currently no HS codes in Hong Kong specifically for Mobulid gill plates, and related products may possibly be declared under other codes. The CSD data hence cannot be used to conduct this study's analysis. Figure 3b - Mobulid gill plates in a market in Qingping. Unlike in Sheung Wan, Guangzhou Communication with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation markets typically display large quantities of gill Department of the Government of Hong Kong (AFCD) revealed plates in storefront. that there have not been any imports or re-exports of manta gill plates in Hong Kong since the implementation of CITES in 2014 November [46]. Page | 6
SIZE MATTERS
Stores selling the widest range of gill plates (from 5 cm to >55 cm) was recorded in Sheung Wan, followed by Yide Lu (5 cm to 54 cm) and then Qingping (5 cm to 44 cm). Drawing from the results of this study and from existing identification guides, it appears that manta gill plates are commonly larger than mobula gill plates. This seems in line with the markets' species composition findings, as manta gill plates were found in greater availability in Figure 7a - Mobula gill Sheung Wan market, while mobula gill plates matters? plates found dominated in the Guangzhou markets. measuring over 30 cm. For Sheung Wan, the dominant size range was 15-44 cm for manta gill plates, and 15-24cm Mobula gill plates were previously thought to for mobula gill plates (not taking into account always measure less than 30 cm, as indicated in
Size of the proportion of fragments). existing species identification guides [45]. By coincidence, mobula gill plates of over 30 cm (and For Yide Lu, there was no prominent size less than 34 cm) were found in this survey, allowing range for manta gill plates, and for mobula gill for updates to identification resources. plates, the range of 15-34 cm dominated. SIZE AND AGE For Qingping, there was also no distinctively dominant size range for manta gill plates, and Although the size of gill plates may give clues to for mobula gill plates the range 15-34 cm also the actual size of the animals, there is currently no appeared to dominate. known methodology to accurately age Mobulid individuals by just looking at the size of gill plates. In all three markets, the dominating size ranges Future studies to reveal the correlations between were larger for manta gill plates than for size of gill plates and the age and/or sexual Mobula. In other words, manta gill plate sizes maturity of Mobulid individuals will lend insight are more available in a larger range of sizes, into the impact of the related trade and fisheries on whereas a relatively smaller size range of the species' survival and sustainability of the Mobula gill plates can commonly be found. consumption practices.
35.00% Manta gill plate size 30.00% categories 25.00%
20.00%
15.00%
10.00%
5.00%
0.00% Fragment 5-14 cm 15-24 cm 25-34 cm 35-44 cm 45-54 cm >55 cm Sheung Wan Yide Lu Qing Ping
FIgure 6 - Sizes of Manta gill plates found at Sheung Wan, Yide Lu and Qing Ping stores Page | 7
SIZE MATTERS An Unexpected encounter:
Whale Shark Gill Plate at Yide Lu One of the surprising findings of this study were the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) gill plates encountered at Guangzhou's Yide Lu dried seafood market. The gill plates were selling at USD$ 216/500g.
Whale sharks are classified as Vulnerable (VU) under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is also listed on CITES Appendix II, meaning that its international trade is regulated. In both Hong Kong and Mainland China, the cross-border import and export of whale shark products must be accompanied by trade permits to ensure that the shipment is certified Figure 7b - Top: Whale shark (Rhincodon and meets criteria set out by the certifying governments. Whale sharks are typus) gill plates sold at a shop in Yide also locally protected under China's China Species Red List, Vol. 2 and Lu. Bottom: Bottom (left) and top (right) under Hong Kong's Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and view of whale shark gill plate. Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586). In this particular encounter, there were no visible permits or indications to the gill plates' legitimacy.
35.00% Mobula gill plate size 30.00% categories 25.00%
20.00%
15.00%
10.00%
5.00%
0.00% Fragment 5-14 cm 15-24 cm 25-34 cm 35-44 cm 45-54 cm >55 cm
Sheung Wan Yide Lu Qing Ping FIgure 8 - Sizes of Mobula gill plates found at Sheung Wan, Yide Lu and Qing Ping stores Page | 8
SELLING PRICE
SHEUNG WAN Highest/Lowest Manta pricing: HIGHEST Price range: LARGEST: USD430.76/500G Highest/Lowest Mobula pricing: HIGHEST Price range: USD270.84/500G
in the market the in BREAKDOWN BY...
Comparing prices Comparing No significant genus-price Genus correlation found
No significant size-price
Within the survey period, Size correlation found selling prices of manta gill plates fluctuated from 219.25 to 166.56 USD/500g. Despite these Gill plates Significantly more fluctuations, the change was Manta not significant. sold as expensive than in Yide Lu
With the exception of 45-55 dried cm and fragmented mobula gill plates sold in Yide Lu, seafood Significantly more manta gill plates of all size (Sheung Wan ranges were sold at higher Mobula expensive than in Yide Lu prices than that of mobula in vs. Yide Lu) all three markets. Gill plates Figure 9 offers comparisons of gill plate selling prices sold as according to their markets, Manta genus and size. Specific dried comparisons between dried seafood markets (Sheung seafood vs. Wan and Yide Lu), and between TCM markets and as TCM dried seafood markets (Yide (Yide Lu vs. Lu and Qingping), were Qingping) Mobula made. Page | 9
SELLING PRICE
YIDE LU QINGPING LOWEST SMALLEST: USD165/500G USD420/500G
One exceptionally high priced LOWEST shop recorded as anomaly SMALLEST: USD132/500G LARGEST: USD322.50/500G
Manta gill plates Manta gill plates significantly higher than significantly higher than mobula's mobula's Only Manta gill plates showed strong size-price correlation No significant size-price Mobula gill plates showed intermediate size- price correlation correlation found Generally: 53-84% of the price recorded in Sheung Wan *Fragments: only 35% of the price recorded in Sheung Wan Generally: 64-42% of the price recorded in Sheung Wan * Except for the size category: 45-54 cm
No significant difference No significant difference found found
No significant difference No significant difference found found Figure 9 ‒ Price analysis of manta and mobula gill plates in Hong Kong and Guangzhou markets
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ORIGINS
SHEUNG WAN
As Told Told As Manta Mobula South America Atlantic Ocean India*^# Malaysia*^ Taiwan*^# Singapore^ Brazil*^# China^ Indonesia*^# Thailand*^# Australia*^# Pacific Ocean The Philippines*^#
Vietnam^ by storekeepers by
SHEUNG WAN
At least 14 origins from 33 valid responses were recorded (about 1/3 of gill plate selling shops). Generic answers, including Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean and South America were also recorded as a
Origin Countries Countries Origin reference. A total of 19 origins of the gill plates were quoted by storeowners from the Hong Kong and Guangzhou Manta rays ‒ Brazil, China, India and Taiwan were markets. However, some countries of origin are not all quoted by storekeepers as manta ray sourcing within natural distributions for both Manta and countries. However, distributions of Manta species do Mobula species. For Vietnam, Malaysia and not include China, and no Manta fisheries have been Singapore, there are no known reports of manta or recorded there. Brazil, India and Taiwan, on the other mobula ray fisheries or bycatch. Some answers given hand, are all reportedly both within distributions of by storeowners were quite generic, but were noted manta ray and with known manta ray fisheries. nonetheless. Mobula rays ‒ Malaysia and Singapore were both reported as the sources of mobula gill plates by FAO Data Reveals... storekeepers. Both countries are within the natural distribution of Mobula species, but do not have For Mobulid gill plates, the FAO records only landing mobula rays fisheries reported. data, and not data for gill plate exports. For the species Manta birostris and Mobula mobular, Ecuador and Both genera ‒ Indonesia, Thailand and Australia Spain are the only countries with reported landings in were the most commonly reported origins of gill the FAO records, however, both countries were not plates for both genera. These countries are within the reported in any of the markets. On the other hand, distribution of both Manta and Mobula species, with Indonesia, Liberia and Mauritania are all reported as known fisheries. This was also the case for the Mobuildae species landing regions. Philippines, although less frequently mentioned than the above three countries. Notably, no landings were recorded from Ecuador since 2007 and from Liberia since 2006. For other Vietnam was also reported as sources for both genera, regions, landings were still recorded in the latest but is not a known territory for natural Manta species update (from the time of this study) in 2013. distribution, nor reported to have manta ray fisheries. Page | 11
ORIGINS
YIDE LU QINGPING
Manta Mobula Manta Mobula Sri Lanka*^# Zhejiang*^ Vietnam^ South China Sea^ Mexico*^# Beihai^ Hainan^
Figure 10 - Sources of manta and mobula gill plates reported by store keepers *location falls within distributions of Manta species ^ location falls within distributions of Mobula species #fisheries or bycatch of Mobulids are currently or were once reported
GUANGZHOU MARKETS
Only 7 origins from 16 valid responses were recorded. Only 13.33% of the storekeepers were able to give answers as to where gill plates were sourced.
Three of the reported origins came from Yide Lu, and 4 from Qingping. Vietnam was the only source country that was reported in both Guangzhou (Yide Lu) and Hong Kong (Sheung Wan). All of the origins quoted from storeowners in Qingping were areas located within China, whereas Sheung Wan and Yide Lu quoted countries worldwide. QINGPING YIDE LU Manta rays ‒ Zhejiang and South China Sea were Mobula rays ‒ Both Sri Lanka and Vietnam were both reported by storekeepers as origins of manta gill reported by storeowners as sources of mobula gill plates. Of the two locations, only Zhejiang is known plates. Although distribution of Mobula species are to be within the distribution of Manta species. known to occur in both countries, fisheries or by- However, both locations are not currently known to catch of mobula rays are only reported in Sri Lanka, have manta ray fisheries or by-catch. and not in Vietnam. Both genera ‒ Beihai and Hainan were reported by
Both genera ‒ Mexico was the only country that was storekeepers as origins of both manta and mobula gill quoted by storekeepers as origins for both manta and plates. However, both locations are only known to be mobula gill plates. Mexico is a known region for within the distribution of Mobula, and not Manta Manta and Mobula species distribution, and fisheries species. There are also no known manta or mobula of both genera are known to occur. rays fisheries or by-catch in those areas.
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NAME CATEGORIES
SHEUNG WAN
MANTA MOBULA BOTH 黑 花 澎 膨 彭 鵬 魚朋 魚 魚 魚 魚 魚 魚 魚
旺 旺 鰓 鰓 腮 腮 鰓
"HAK "FA "PANG YU SAI" (BLACK) YU (FLOWER)
WONG" YU WONG" BY CATEGORIES BY 魚 魚 膨 膨 澎 須 旺 魚 魚 魚
NAMES NAMES 鰓 旺 旺 Fancy names In the retail markets, there are two generally encountered Chinese 干 characters used to refer to gill "YU SO" "YU "PANG "PANG YU WONG" plates: 魚鰓 "yu sai" (fish gills) WONG" YU SAI and 魚旺 "yu wong" (prosperous GON fish). (DRIED)" Of the two, yu sai is obviously the The complexity of the Chinese language adds challenge to most directly translatable name for the task of recording name categories. In the Chinese gill plates ‒ so why create a new language, the pronunciation of some words do not name, yu wong, to refer to the correspond directly with a specific character, hence there same item? are instances where names verbally reported by storekeepers could not be recorded. This is because in Chinese, the word for gills 鰓 "sai" has a very SHEUNG WAN similar pronunciation to the word 衰 (despicable or unlucky) and 輸 A total of 76 valid naming records were obtained from (to lose, as in a game or surveys in Sheung Wan. Cumulatively, the name list leveled competition). As often is the case off at the 46th record, indicating that most, if not all, in the Chinese culture, the product possible names given to gill plates have already been is given a new name in the trade, recorded. with more positive connotations, thus the name yu wong. Seven different names were recorded, including 1 for manta gill plates, 1 for mobula gill plates, and 5 that applied to
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NAME CATEGORIES YIDE LU & QINGPING SPECIAL FINDING: MANTA MOBULA BOTH WHALE SHARK 黑 花 黑 魚 膨 內 鰓 鰓 鰓 旺 魚 鰓 鰓 "HAK SAI "FA SAI "HAK SAI "YU "PANG "LOY SAI (BLACK (FLOWER (BLACK WONG" YU SAI" (INNER GILL)" GILL)" GILL)" GILL)" Manta Mobula Mobula Rhincodon birostris tarapacana japanica typus
Figure 11a ‒ Name categories of manta and mobula gill plates found in Hong Kong and Guangshoul markets Note: English translations of names presented here are not official names, but translated by the investigator and authors.
both genera. Some names with the same pronunciation and meaning were written as different characters, such as "Pang Yu Sai" in figure 11a. This is owed to the nature of the Chinese language, where different characters will have identical pronunciations, and different meanings depending on context. Use of these same-sounding characters interchangingly is common among in the application of this complex language. The variations encountered in Sheung Wan are counted as separate records, but considered as a single name category for this study.
GUANGZHOU MARKETS
A total of 51 valid naming records were obtained from surveys in Yide Lu and Qingping combined. Cumulatively, the name list leveled off at the 19th record, indicating that, like the case of Sheung Wan, most, if not all, possible names given to gill plates have already been recorded.
Only 4 name categories were recorded from the Guangzhou markets. Two of these names were found to indicate gill plates of both genera. Unlike Sheung Wan, some name categories were found connected to distinct species, i.e. "Hak Sai" for Manta birostris and Mobula japonica, and "Fa Sai" for Mobula tarapacana. Note that the same names can refer to different products between Hong Kong and Guangzhou, e.g. Figure 11b - Gill plates labeled in one variation of "黑鰓" refers to manta in Sheung Wan, and both manta and "Pang Yu Sai" in one of Hong Kong's dried seafood mobula in Guangzhou. stores.
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IMPLICATIONS AND FUTURE ACTIONS
The results of this survey point to several Genus: In both Yide Lu and Qingping, manta gill interesting implications about Hong Kong and plates were found to be selling at significantly Mainland China's Mobulid gill plate trade: higher prices than those of mobula. Given that there are no perceived differences in the medical I. Hong Kong is one of the key markets in values between gill plates of the two genera [13], the international Mobulid gill plate trade, the more probable explanation for this difference possibly partly "hidden from view" in price is the scarcity of Manta in the wild. This was not observed in Sheung Wan. At a glance, Guangzhou's markets seem to offer a greater provision of gill plates, as most Location: Gill plates sold in Sheung Wan were of the gill plate-offering stores were also generally more expensive than those sold in specialized in one product, and display their Yide Lu and Qingping. gill plates in bulk at the storefront. However, this study has shown that the availability of One possible explanation for this is the relative gill plates is far greater in Hong Kong, where position of Hong Kong and Guangzhou on the more than a quarter of the stores in the Sheung overall supply chain and trade route of gill plates. Wan dried seafood market (28.42%) had gill It has been hypothesized that the commercial plates available for sale (compared to just values of goods will typically grow higher further 4.58% in Yide Lu and 7.67% in Qingping). down the supply chain/trade route [47,48]. future actions future Possibly, gill plates are imported into Mainland Stores in Sheung Wan sold gill plates among a China from various source- or consignment vast selection of other dried seafood products, countries, and then re-exported to Hong Kong, and as many as 55% of those gill plate- keeping a part of the goods for local consumption. offering stores in Sheung Wan kept some or In such a case, retail prices of gill plates in Hong all of their gill plates in storage and are not Kong may be expected to be higher than in visible from the storefront, possibly giving the Guangzhou markets. However, the exact trade illusion of low gill plate availability in Sheung routes of Mobulid gill plates through Hong Kong Wan. and Mainland China are not currently known. This should be targeted as a topic for future Note: It was not possible in this survey to studies. estimate the total volumes and values of the Another possible explanation may be the gill plates available in each market. In difference in retail culture. Products in Hong particular for Sheung Wan, gill plates kept in Kong tend to fetch higher prices than those in storage behind stores or out-of-store Guangzhou, as they are more often of a warehouses are inaccessible to the investigator. "preferable grade or retail quantity" [49]. II. Manta gill plates were more available in Comparatively higher rental costs for retail space Sheung Wan, and mobula gill plates in in Hong Kong than in Guangzhou, may also be Yide Lu and Qingping...but why? speculated as a possible explanation for the
The preference for larger-sized gill plates by higher pricing of retail goods in Hong Kong. Implications and and Implications Hong Kong and Macau consumers, and However, this reason for gill plate prices has not smaller and cheaper mobula gill plates by been encountered in existing sources. Mainland Chinese consumers, has been IV. Mobula gill plates can be larger than suggested as a reason for the difference in presently estimated on existing identification genera availability between Sheung Wan and guides Guangzhou's markets, in a study involving trader surveys [52]. Still, more research into One of the easiest ways to distinguish manta this area is needed to explore further possible from mobula gill plate is by looking at the explanations to this consumption pattern. . specimen's size. Manta gill plates are typically wider and larger than mobula gill plates (due to III. Genus of gill plates determined selling price, the relatively larger sizes of rays), and it was followed by the location of markets recognized that gill plates measuring longer than
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CONCLUSION, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND REFERENCES
30 cm may be identified as belonging to Manta possibility of other non-Mobulid and filter- species [50, 51]. feeding fishes being sold as gill plates in both Hong Kong and Guangzhou's markets, such as Contrary to this rule of thumb, mobula gill plates the basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus). exceeding 30 cm were recorded in the Discovery of other species used for the gill plate observations made during the market surveys. trade may or may not have further conservation However, mobula gill plates were not observed implications, but all this cannot be known to exceed 34 cm in length (figure 7a). without first having information on exactly V. Records of manta and mobula gill plate which species are involved in the gill plate trade, origins appear incomplete and to what extent.
Origins of gill plates reported by storekeepers This, along with all of the unknowns and items were checked against existing datasets and for future research mentioned above, literature to confirm validity. Most of the demonstrate the necessity for continued and countries reported were known sources of innovative research into the international gill Mobulid to some degree ‒ either included under plate trade. the natural coverage of Manta/Mobula species or have known fisheries. For those regions where Mobulid trade was not Recommendations previously recorded, it suggests a possible F o r ACTIONS F O R T h e misreporting to authorities in those countries. China, for instance, has no official landing records of Manta species, and is not within the species' natural distributional range. Fisheries of Gill Plate Mobula were also not found for the country. The possibility of unreported fisheries for both genera is worth investigating. Trade Vietnam was also an unconfirmed source of manta and mobula gill plates. Coincidentally, Observing the above findings, it appears that Vietnam was also found to be an up and rising both Hong Kong and Mainland China, while trade port for another, valuable dried seafood being two of the world's most significant markets item ‒ bêche-de-mer [55] ‒ and suspected to be in the international gill plate trade, currently have involved in the related products' illegal trading limited means of combating the possible activity. Again, further investigation into infiltration of illegal products into their markets. Vietnam's role in the trade of popular seafood Information of the origins and genera of gill items into Mainland China is recommended. plates being sold are lost even to the storekeepers, Notably, identification of source countries of gill who are, to some degree, experts on the matter. plates through CSD data is challenging. The four The vastness of unknowns surrounding the trade HS codes for which gill plates should be reported poses challenges to the regulation and under are unspecific (generalized under "Other management of Mobulid trade and fisheries. In marine fish..." or "Rays and skates...") and cannot view of these difficulties, several be separated to show information for manta and recommendations for Hong Kong to be mobula gill plates only. The exporting countries, implemented at the government level and by as well as the volume, of gill plates being imported into Hong Kong hence cannot be found future researchers are made below. out. GOVERNMENT ACTION #1 VI. There is still a multitude of unknowns about SUPPORT CITES II LISTINGS FOR the gill plate trade ALL MOBULA SPECIES The discovery of gill plates belonging to the whale shark at Yide Lu, for instance indicates a
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CONCLUSIONS, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND REFERENCES
Currently, only Manta species are included in the not new regulations and stronger means of CITES Appendix II listings. The threats faced by monitoring might be needed. Mobula species are no less urgent, given that the demand for gill plate in the dried seafood market is shared between the two genera. In particular, the Sicklefin devil ray (Mobula tarapacana) and the Spinetail devil ray (Mobula japonica) have faced population declines of 96% and 99% RESEARCH TOPICS respectively in just the past 10-15 years [23]. FOR FUTURE STUDIES
Although other Mobula species may not have MARKET COMPOSITION: the present study shown similarly drastic drops in population sizes, focused only on the availability of gill plates in their gill plates, after processing, are barely retail markets. This is insufficient to give a clear distinguishable from one another. "Look-alike picture of the actual volumes traded and trade species" of other species that are of greater route taken. While official CSD data are conservation concern, are sometimes listed onto currently unavailable, estimations made by CITES Appendix II as a means of added interviews with retailers and wholesalers may be protection to the species that they resemble and possible. that are suffering a greater threat (53). Due to the similarity in appearances of Mobula species and DNA SPECIES IDENTIFICATION: visual species the indiscriminant nature of the mobula fisheries, identification of gill plates is extremely difficult, it is suggested that the Hong Kong government and presently official visual identification guides should actively support proposals to list all are only available for 1 species of Manta and 3 Mobula species onto CITES Appendix II. species of Mobula. A comprehensive study on the species composition of the gill plates GOVERNMENT ACTION #2 available on the market, using DNA analysis to SEPARATE HS CODE CATEGORIES achieve accurate results, has yet to be done. Such FOR MOBULID GILL PLATES a study would not only allow for identifying the necessity of species-specific protection and It is not currently possible to use Hong Kong's regulations, but also uncover the use of other CSD data to estimate gill plate import volumes filter-feeding species that are harvested for gill and exporting countries due to the generalized plates, such as whale sharks. categorization of gill plate-related products on USE IN CHINESE MEDICINE: the present study the HS coding system. As Hong Kong is shown only visited TCM stores in Guangzhou's to be one of the main trade hubs for gill plate- Qingping. Gill plates are also known to be sold related products internationally, collecting as TCM in Hong Kong markets, although shops information at Hong Kong's ports would greatly are sparsely scattered and not concentrated in assist the monitoring of the international trade, specified regions as in the case of Qingping. and enhance traceability for the products. These stores could not be included into the GOVERNMENT ACTION #3 present study due to resource limitations, and is definitely worth further investigation. INVESTIGATE THE (POSSIBLY ILLEGAL) ONLINE TRADE In addition, substitutes to gill plates in TCM are also rarely publicized. Identification of It was found that, as online shopping platforms ingredients which can substitute gill plates as such as Taobao are becoming increasingly medicine or tonic and which do not threaten the popular in Hong Kong and Mainland China, gill survival of specific plant and animal species may plates have also become obtainable through add to the campaign for sustainable resource use. online purchase. A quick search has revealed at SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEYS: while gill plates are least 25 online stores offering sales of Mobulid widely available in Chinese markets, the extent gill plates. The online market for gill plates and of preference of the Chinese consumer other dried seafood is possibly up and rising, and population towards gill plate-related products is is worth further examination to decide whether or
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CONCLUSION, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND REFERENCES unknown. Do people feel that gill plates are proper management in respective trading irreplaceable? Are they more popularly used as a countries, and to combat illegal trades. medicine, a tonic, or just a soup? Are the public aware of the conservation issues attached to the Needless to say, a delicate balance must be product? Such a study would greatly benefit maintained between the Giants of the Ocean and future conservation campaigns and provide a the Giants of the Trade; for when the latter means of measuring campaign impacts. overthrows the former, both shall perish. PRICE CHANGES, BEFORE AND AFTER CITES FOR HONG KONG: Hong Kong's implementation for the CITES listings of Manta species came ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS into effect in November 2014, and for Mainland The authors would like to thank Professor China the implementation date was set to be even Yvonne Sadovy for her guidance, Ms. Bud Wing earlier. Research into the changes in price before Sum for her support, and all the traders who were and after the implementation of CITES will involved in this study. provide clues as to how the market had reacted to the CITES regulations, and is worthy of further REFERENCES study effort. [1] Bizzarro, J., Smith, W. D. & Clark, T. B. (2006). Mobula munkiana. In IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.Version 2010.4. Available at http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/60198/ CONCLUSION: 0 (accessed 10 February 2016). GIANTS OF THE OCEAN, GIANTS [2] Bizzarro, J., Smith, W., Baum, J., Domingo, A. & Menni, R. (2009a). Mobula hypostoma. In IUCN Red OF THE TRADE List of Threatened Species. Available at http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/ The data retrieved in the few months of this study 161737/0 (accessed 10 February 2016). [3] Bizzarro, J., Smith, W., White, W. T. & Valenti, S. is limited and only provide a snapshot for the V. (2009b). Mobula kuhlii. In IUCN Red List of markets. However, the study has also revealed Threatened Species. Available at some of the basic patterns of the retail of gill http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/161439 plates. The clear conclusion is that far more /0 (accessed 10 February 2016). [4] Clark, T. B., Smith, W. D. & Bizzarro, J. J. effort into the research and conservation of (2006a). Mobula tarapacana. In IUCN Red List of Mobulid rays is needed. Threatened Species. Available at http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/60199/ Both Hong Kong and Guangzhou are 0 (accessed 10 February 2016). indisputable giants in the global trade of manta [5] Clark, T. B., Smith, W. D. & Bizzarro, J. J. and mobula gill plates. The results of this study (2006b). Mobula thurstoni. In IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Available at have shown only a preliminary understanding of http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/60200/ its sheer scope. Many questions are left 0 (accessed 10 February 2016). unanswered, and there is a very real danger that [6] Marshall, A., Kashiwagi, T., Bennett, M. B., continued unregulated and unmonitored trade of Deakos, M. H., Stevens, G., McGregor, F., Clark, T., Ishihara, H. & Sato, K. (2011a). Manta alfredi. In Manta and Mobula species will push populations IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Available at beyond repair before the trade can be understood. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/195459 /0 (accessed 10 February 2016). Conservation of Mobulid species must not be [7] Marshall, A., Kashiwagi, T., Bennett, M. B., delayed. With any luck in the upcoming CITES Harding, M., Stevens, G., Kodja, G., Hinojosa- CoP17 in September to October 2016, all Mobula Alvarez, S. & Galvan-Magana, F. (2011b). Manta birostris. In IUCNRed List of Threatened Species. species will, like in the case for Manta species, Available at become listed onto CITES Appendix II to receive http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/198921 protection from overharvesting in the trade. Even /0 (accessed 10 February 2016). then, the fight continues to ensure enforcement of
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CONCLUSIONS, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND REFERENCES
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